NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for Australians from all walks of life to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year, the City of Subiaco is putting on a range of activities across the week, including a traditional Welcome to Country and flag raising ceremony, featuring a short traditional dance. This will be followed by a native-inspired morning tea.
Proud Noongar woman and artist, Seantelle Walsh, will add to the celebration by painting the front doors of the Administration Centre and Subiaco Library.
Subiaco Library will be hosting a free special performance by Yirra Yaakin: Bilya Kaatijin (which means ‘Fresh Water Knowledge’ in Noongar). Bookings are essential.
Journeying through global Dreaming stories, the show teaches its audiences about the importance of accepting others, the power of empathy and the impact of climate change to the land and the Noongar seasons.
The library will also be holding a special NAIDOC Storytime session for pre-schoolers, with special guest Freda Ogilvie, as well as school holiday art workshops run by Creative Native Aboriginal Art Gallery.
The workshops will teach children the oldest painting technique in the world and allow them to leave their mark on a canvas under the guidance of world-renowned artists.
NAIDOC Week is taking place 4 to 11 July this year.
Free events
Yirra Yaakin Performance
6pm Monday 5 July | Subiaco Library
Come along to a special evening performance at Subiaco Library as Australia’s leading Aboriginal Theatre Company Yirra Yaakin presents Bilya Kaatijin. Bookings essential.
School Holiday Art Workshop
10.30am Tuesday 6 and Thursday 8 July | Subiaco Library
School holiday art workshops at Subiaco Library on Tuesday and Thursday morning will be run by Creative Native Aboriginal Art Gallery, teaching children the oldest painting technique in the world. They’ll be able to leave their mark on a canvas under the guidance of world-renowned Perth-based Aboriginal artists. Bookings essential.
Flag Raising and Welcome to Country
11am Wednesday 7 July | City of Subiaco Administration Centre
All are welcome to attend the Flag Raising and Welcome to Country, featuring a short traditional dance. This will be followed by a special native inspired morning tea in the Council Chambers.
Storytime
10.30am Friday 9 July | Subiaco Library
Finish off NAIDOC Week with a special Storytime session for the little ones at the Subiaco Library with special guest Freda Ogilvie. Bookings essential.
Update 5 July 2021: Yirra Yaakin's performance of Bilya Kaatijin has been postponed. We will update our events calendar and Facebook page once a new date has been set.